Thanks so much to dear friends Rob and Kelly who treated us to a fantastic holiday tradition last Saturday night.
Rob and Kelly opening up a little Christmas cheer
For the past few years we have been trying to get tickets to see the Seattle ACT Theater's performance of a Christmas Carol. Rob and Kelly scored us tickets in September and I've been counting down the days since then.
This is the Act's 34th annual production of Dickens' classic tale. It's done in a "theater in the round" setting so very intimate (I felt like I was in Dicken's London in the 1860's). The set, costumes and acting was SUPERB!!!!!
Kell's new scarf!
Since the plays debut at ACT in 1976, more than 600,000 people have joined Scrooge on his journey. It was a delightful performance and one we hope will be a holiday tradition!
Stacy's Dinner - Jumbo Lump Crab Cake and a Bacon, Tomato and Red Onion "Chopped" Salad
After the play we had an amazing dinner at The Daily Grill, right in the hustle and bustle of downtown Seattle (very close to the theater).
This is one of my favorite weeks of the year. This year I have 9 whole days in Seattle.....time to relax, watch Christmas movies, bake cookies and spend some quality time with Brian and Sammy.
I've got a great meal plan for this week and a wonderful meal on Christmas Day. Check out about 300+ other great menu and recipe ideas HERE.
We had such an awesome week.....celebrating three Christmases at Rebecca Lane.
Wednesday Chick and I hosted a Christmas Dinner with my Pop and Brian. I made a wonderful stuffed pork tenderloin (Boursin Cheese, fresh baby spinach and toasted pine nuts). Pop made scalloped potatoes and we had pan seared asparagus.
Not only did we celebrate Christmas, but also my Pop's birthday which is next Tuesday.
Who: Santa Claus and Stacy What: Annual picture with Santa....there were several over the years Where: Valley River Center in Eugene, OR? When: I look to be about 4 or 5 so around 1973-74
Funny thing about this picture is that I remember the outfit. The jacket had a funny belt....the kind you have to twist to close together. It was very hard for a 4 year old, apparently as this is all I seem to remember (some childhood scar that to this day I am still carrying around).
I wanted to make this last year, but we had quite a winter storm that blew in right before Christmas and I didn't get organized in time. Perhaps this year! It's a Christmas Eve tradition for Brian and I.
Enjoy! Stacy
Irish Cream(homemade Bailey's)
Ingredients:
1 cup whiskey (inexpensive middle of the road is okay) 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk 1 cup whipping cream 4 eggs (use grade A) 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup 2 teaspoons instant coffee 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 teaspoon almond extract
Directions:
1. In blender, combine all ingredients; blend until smooth. 2. Store tightly covered in refrigerator up to one month (it will be long gone before then). 3. Shake bottle well before serving, and return remaining liqueur to refrigerator.
Sandra's List Fitlosphy Get Fit Book Wrist Wallet Michael Jackson DVD video collection Monogrammed Coffee Cup (I guess we are into that this year) Earrings from Kohl's
This is a busy week for the Rebecca Lane household. Menu-wise, we are having three Christmas celebrations and on Friday, Brian and I head up to Seattle for 9 days. Christmas with Chick on Tuesday, Pop is coming on Wednesday and a Rebecca Lane Christmas wrap-up with Brian on Thursday. Lot's of Christmas cheer!
Here are the entrees for this week. Remember to check out other great menu ideas HERE.
With all the snow last December, I missed out on a few of my favorite things.
Last Thursday night, I met Chick downtown and we had a Christmas cocktail and a chance to see some of the lights and holiday decorations of downtown Portland.
Pioneer Courthouse
We had cocktails at The Nines - which has received mixed reviews since it opened last year (Sandra had her office party there last year).
Quite frankly, I loved the overall decor of the hotel (lots of weird art and strangely placed mannequins). They have a wonderful lobby area with couches, tables, comfy chairs and a spacious bar with a large communal table. A great way to mix and mingle!
I thought their appetizer/happy hour menu was quite reasonable. This is definitely a place we'll come back too.
We walked up 6th avenue in frigid conditions (22 F) to Nel Centro and had a wonderful house chardonnay and an amazing wild mushroom and gorgonzola pizza. Fantastic. Another cool downtown Portland hotel (outside gas fireplace - perfect when the weather gets a little warmer).
Overall - I loved seeing Portland's "Living Room" all decorated for the holidays - including our grand tree! Enjoy! Stacy
WHO: Brian's Dad, Allen Lee WHERE: Delaware - not sure if it was taken at home or at work? Is that a suitcase or a typewriter? WHEN: Mid to late 1950's
I found this photo of Brian's dad a few weeks ago and did a double take.....I was amazed by the resemblance to Brian. The way Al is sitting is the exact same way Brian sits.....right down to the placement of his hands. This picture makes me smile.
A Tom and Jerry is a traditional Christmas cocktail devised by sports writer, Pierce Egan in the 1820’s in London, England.
One account of the origins of the Tom and Jerry comes from the 1821 book, Life in London; or, The Day and Night Scenes of Jerry Hawthorn, Esq., and his elegant friend, Corinthian Tom, by Pierce Egan. This book was very popular and to further publicize it, Egan named a version of Egg Nog, the "Tom and Jerry". Pubs were even called "Tom and Jerries" for a while during this period.
The drink also features prominently in Damon Runyon’s short story "Dancing Dan's Christmas" beginning with the passage:
This hot Tom and Jerry is an old time drink that is once used by one and all in this country to celebrate Christmas with, and in fact it is once so popular that many people think Christmas is invented only to furnish an excuse for hot Tom and Jerry, although of course this is by no means true.
I can’t say I’ve ever had a Tom and Jerry, but I found this easy mix to try.
Enjoy!
Stacy
Tom and Jerry Mix
Makes: 2 servings
I N G R E D I E N T S 2 egg, separated
2 teaspoons bar sugar
2 ounce dark Jamaica rum
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 ounce brandy
Hot water
I N S T R U C T I O N S
1. Beat egg yolks with sugar, rum and allspice until smooth and thick.
2.Separately beat egg white until stiff. Fold white into yolk mixture.
3.Put mixture into a preheated mug. Add hot water to fill mug 3/4 full. Stir gently. Add brandy. Dust with grated nutmeg.
Pictures from the Rebecca Lane Christmas Tree Party this past Saturday.
We got our trees at Lolich Farms - again this year, a great place for fresh produce in the spring and summer and beautiful trees and wreaths at Christmas. They bundled each tree and helped us put them in our cars....a big help since Brian was not in town! We both have beautiful trees that are completely different. I love the noble fir and Chick prefers the grand fir. It's a real treat having two trees in the house....it makes our whole house look so festive.
Sandra's TreeStacy's TreeSandra heading out to her office Christmas Party!
How is the Christmas shopping coming along? I know this is a busy time of the year, so this week's menu is really light and easy (not a lot of meal prep).
I'd also like to alert you to a great concept called "Meatless Monday". Sir Paul McCartney spoke about it this past week. I've never considered myself and "activist", but this is a concept I try and support. Look at you menu and see if you can get on board.
Monday:Wild Mushroom Casserole (make this on Sunday). Support Meatless Monday!!! Tuesday: F.F.Y. (Fend For Yourself). Chick has a dinner out; I've got present to wrap! Wednesday: Neighborhood Christmas Cocktails 6-9 (Shrimp Salad with Warm Rolls) Thursday: Christmas Cocktails in Downtown Portland. A chance to look at all the lights!
WHO: Sandra K (modeling her new bathrobe and some sort of charm bracelet) WHAT: Christmas WHERE: Silver Lane in Eugene, OR WHEN: Sandra looks to be about 8 or 9 so I'll say 1967 or 68.
Look at that tinsel on the tree! My Grandma Marie (Sandra's Mom) always had tinsel. I remember one or two Christmases at Silver Lane, but only after my Grandma passed, but I do remember the tinsel and that the tree was always in the center of the big picture window.
With the Christmas season upon us, I've decided this month's Recipe of the Week theme is all about the Christmas Cocktail....how to make them, serve them or get them!
This week, one of my all time favorites - The Hot Buttered Rum.
Every year, Chick and I try out about 3 or 4 mixes and last year we just never found the right combination of spices.
This year I found this really easy mix - which you could easily prepare and give as a gift to friends, co-worker's or family.
Enjoy! Stacy
Hot Buttered Rum Mix
Ingredients:
2 sticks (8 ounces) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature and cut into pieces
1-1/3 cups (packed) brown sugar
1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Tiny pinch of ground cloves
1 cup honey
The batter may be made ahead and refrigerated for several days.
For Each Serving:
1 to 1-1/4 ounces rum
Boiling water
Directions:
Prepare the batter: In a large bowl, cream the butter with the brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves and honey.Continue to beat until the mixture is completely blended and somewhat fluffy. (The batter will keep several days if refrigerated, but allow it to return to room temperature before using.)
For each serving:
Fill a coffee mug ¾ of the way with boiling water.Pour in the rum and top with a large spoonful of the "batter".Briskly stir and serve.
To my friends who enjoy a glass of wine.... and those who don't.
As Ben Franklin said: "In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is freedom, in water there is bacteria."
This year, I did some research and picked Carlton, OR for our Thanksgiving Weekend wine adventure. Sandra, Brian and I headed out early on Saturday morning.
Wilson Carl founded Carlton in 1899. Its name is a conjunction of Carl's town, a stop on the railroad. I really wanted to hit some back road wineries of Yamhill county as the last few years we have stayed close to home in Washington County.
Our first stop, sorta by accident was Shea Wine Cellars. It took us about an hour to reach the center of our wine destination and Brian pulled into one of the first wineries we saw. Founded by Dick Shea in 1996, Shea Wine Cellars produces world class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Their 2009 Open House tasting ($10) included a light and intensely aromatic 2007 Chardonnay and 6 Pinot Noirs (5 from 2008). One of them, the 2008 "Homer" (which sells for $82 a bottle) was superb.
Our second stop was Laurel Ridge Winery; founded in 1974, LaurelRidge is one of the oldest vineyard/winery sites in Oregon. They are one of only a handful of Oregon wineries making sparkling wines by the traditional French "methode champenoise". The 1998 Brut Grand
Laureate was spicy and dry....perfect for the holiday season. A real treat, we tasted the only Port of the day....an 04 Cab Franc Port (which Chick bought a bottle of).
Lemelson Vineyards was just down the road....a beautiful winery and tasting room. We tried 6 wines, two white ($15) and the rest Pinot Noir. They grow their grapes organically and practice sustainable farming. I am disappointed I didn't buy the 06 Chardonnay, a real gem of the day.
We then stopped by Belle Pente, which means "beautiful slope" and eloquently describes the hillsides that surround the Yamhill/Carlton area. Their first vineyard was planted in 1994. Very young wines - excellent pairing of Oregon cheeses for $10.I've always been a big fan of Ken Wright wines, especially their chardonnay, so my main purpose in this years Carlton trip was to stop by their winemakers studio in downtown Carlton. Aside from the 08 Pinot Blanc and the 07 Celilo Vineyard Chardonnay ($20), the rest of the tastings centered on their Futures Barrels - so very young underdeveloped wines that they wanted you to "invest in". Strange concept to be drinking recently barrelled 09 wines. I spent most of my time sitting outside the door watching people (Chick and Brian listened to the history of the 2009 harvest) and lamenting that I spent $20 - truly a "Carlton" rip-off.We ended the day in the heart of downtown Carlton tasting wines from Owen Row - several reds and amazing cheese pairing. Owen Roe O'Neill was a Seventeenth century Irish Patriot who dedicated his life to upholding the highest principles of political equality and freedom - how this ties into their wines, I am not sure - but I enjoyed their pinots.
Aside from the great wines of the day, Carlton is an amazing place for shopping, antiques, food and art. I think another trip is in the works.....a chance to explore downtown and more Yamhill County wineries.
Thanks so much to dear friends Rob and Kelly who treated us to a fantastic holiday tradition last Saturday night.
It was a wonderful evening with friends.
